Best Day Trips from Athens Worth Taking

While there are plenty of great things to do in Athens that will certainly fill even a fairly long vacation itinerary, it still makes sense to keep your options open if you're new to the area and really want to make the most of it! 

That's why, having discussed it with several members of the SIMOVO team, we've put together a quick and easy guide to the best day trips from Athens on your next trip abroad. These are trips you can easily take by readily available transport and transit - Athens is a city that's famously easy to get around, and that certainly goes for exploring neighboring attractions, too.

Day trips from Athens overview

If you've already taken a look at our guide to building your own Greece itinerary, then you'll already know that we have some favorite must-see spots when it comes to Athens and the wider area. That's really what inspires this guide - to give you a good idea of what you can easily get to and from the city if you fancy a break from all that marvelous history and delicious cuisine (if you really want to, of course!).

Keep in mind, of course, that there will be some traveling involved if you want to make the most of day trips in the local area - so account for time when planning routes, and always have a base back in Athens to return to. Again, Athens makes a great base for a lot of Mediterranean adventuring because it's so central and well connected.

Best day trips from Athens

Of the different day trips from Athens available to enjoy, our team seriously recommends that you prioritize Cape Sounion, Aegina, Hydra, Delphi, and Nafplio. You can easily plan journeys to and from these local hotspots within a vacation itinerary, and it's nice and simple to find transport links that won't break your budget.

Cape Sounion

Cape Sounion is perhaps most famous for the absolutely majestic Temple of Poseidon, which is said to be over 2,400 years old! Home to some of the region's most enduring and fascinating myths, it's a great day out from the city for history and mythology lovers to really dive into local legends. You'll usually be able to get here within an hour if you're driving out of Athens.

Aegina

If you're willing to spend an hour or so traveling, Aegina Island is a spectacular day out that's accessible via ferry. It's the home of the stunning Temple of Aphaia, and has a surprising reputation for being one of the best places in the world to enjoy pistachios - and yes, you'll be able to enjoy them in ice cream and all kinds of infused treats. It's also a perfect day out for beach lovers who want a coastal adventure but would still like to base themselves in Athens.

Hydra

Hydra is another of several islands accessible from Athens via ferry, and like Aegina, you can also enjoy this island as part of a dedicated cruise trip. On its own, however, it's just as fascinating a day out. It is a truly laid-back island experience, full of classic Greek architecture and none of the hustle and bustle you might typically get from town and city scenes. It's also a lovely day out if you're not one for static tours.

Delphi

Delphi is a little further away from Athens than most of our suggestions here, but you can usually get here within three hours - just make sure you set off in plenty of time! It's an extremely important historic site, home to the Temple of Apollo, museum grounds, and fascinating mountain views.

Nafplio

Nafplio is another coastal escape that tends to be a bit of a “hidden gem” - it doesn't always get the same attention as, say, Hydra or Aegina, but it offers just as much cobblestoned charm, town square scenes, and lovely seaside views. It's a relaxing day out that takes a couple of hours to get to, but is certainly worth the time and effort.

Best nature escapes near Athens

While it's easy to assume that a break to Athens is largely about exploring city streets and ancient scenes, there are lots of nice green escapes and hiking trails close by that more active holidaymakers will want to check out on their own terms.

For example, the lush forest surrounding Mount Ymittos is worth every step you take, thanks to its winding paths and roads up and around the mountain and the local Kaisariani Monastery. 

If you're visiting Sounion, do also make time to enjoy the National Park here, which sits above the Temple of Poseidon and offers a delightful pine forest panorama. It's quite undeveloped, which makes it feel as though you're stepping into the wild - it's a long hike, too, at up to four hours for the full journey!

Best time for day trips from Athens

As with Greece and Athens in general, we recommend that you take day trips from Athens any time around late spring or early to mid-fall. During these times, the weather is nice and mild, and you won't always expect the biggest crowds.

It might also be the best time of year to nail down an affordable flight to and stay in Athens itself. If you've read our guides previously, you'll know that we highly recommend using tools like Skyscanner to book flights well in advance for the best prices, too.

Of course, given that Greece and its islands tend to be wonderful all year round for weather, you won't be disappointed by the sunshine regardless of when you come. But, for a mild, pleasant adventure close to the capital city, we recommend a spring or fall getaway.

Athens travel tips

Now we've taken you through some of the best day trips from Athens, let's close up this guide with some general tips on how to make the most of adventures around the region, whether you're sticking to the city or going beyond.

• The general rule for Athens restaurants applies to other eateries in the nearby region - people tend to eat dinner quite late in the day! That means you can expect to tuck into your evening meal around 9 pm, so make sure to book reservations.
• Getting a SIMOVO eSIM for Greece means that, no matter where you go in Athens or around the nearby areas, you'll always be connected to the best possible mobile data. Activate before you go, and your phone will leap to the best available network - and, you won't have to worry about paying high bills for your data when you get back home.
• As with Greece in general, you should have no difficulty finding people who speak English around Athens and beyond. However, it's still considered polite and courteous to learn a few Greek phrases, at least!
• Regardless of where you travel around and nearby Athens, you should always keep your valuables in sight and well protected. The areas we've discussed here are generally safe, but the bigger tourist zones can attract pickpockets - so always keep your most valuable items close to hand, and use a cross-body bag if you can for the most protection about your person.